Will Fortune never come with both hands full,But write her fair words still in foulest letters?She either gives a stomach, and no food;Such are the poor, in health: or else a feast,And takes away the stomach; such are the rich,That have abundance, and enjoy it not.

That conceit, elegantly expressed by the Emperor Charles V., in his instructions to the King, his son, "that fortune hath somewhat the nature of a woman, that if she be too much wooed she is the farther off."

Just for a handful of silver he left us, Just for a ribbon to stick in his coat;Found the one gift of which Fortune bereft us, Lost all the others she lets us devote.

Robert Browning, The Lost Leader. Referring to Wordsworth when he turned Tory.

Cæsarem vehis, Cæsarisque fortunam.

You carry Cæsar and Cæsar's fortune.

Cæsar's remark to a pilot in a storm. Sometimes given: Cæsarem portas et fortunam ejus. See Bacon, Essays, Of Fortune.

Fortune, the great commandress of the world,Hath divers ways to advance her followers:To some she gives honor without deserving;To other some, deserving without honor;Some wit, some wealth,—and some, wit without wealth;Some wealth without wit; some nor wit nor wealth.

Who thinks that fortune cannot change her mind,Prepares a dreadful jest for all mankind.And who stands safest? Tell me, is it heThat spreads and swells in puff'd prosperity,Or bless'd with little, whose preventing careIn peace provides fit arms against a war?